The following information (paraphrased) is from talking to the mosque's Imam, Abu Qadir Al-Amin. We also had the opportunity to interview the treasure of the mosque, Menelik; he has been with the SFMCC for 8 years and was in charge of the recent move and renovation of the mosque. During our mosque visit, we spent some time talking to Menelik about interesting books on African American Muslim history. We were able to keep up with the conversation based on our readings in our class, Asian American Studies 128AC.
When was your site founded?
Mid 1950's a part of what was known as the Lost Found Nation of Islam in America.
Who was the founder?
Since the mosque was formed based on the community, there was no particular person who was responsible for founding the mosque, instead it was the whole community that established the mosque.
Any people of importance?
No, local African American Muslim converts.
How did the mosque derive its name?
It was started as a community rather than a mosque based in San Francisco. Therefore, it was named the San Francisco Muslim Community Center.
What demographic do you serve?
San Francisco Muslim Community Center's members are primarily African American Muslim converts, but some Pakistani / Fijian also participate in Friday's prayers.
What size is the community, how active is it? What is unique about the community?
The size of the community is roughly about one hundred African American Muslim converts.
Is your site affiliated or partners with any other mosques?
Yes, SFMCC is affiliated with the Berkeley Masjid mosque. For example, during big events such as Eid and Ramadan, SFMCC goes to the Berkeley Masjid mosque.
Are there any articles or press from outside sources regarding your mosque?
Yes, there are a few websites on the demographic along with the history of the SFMCC: The Salatomatic database describes SFMCC as predominately African American Sunni Mosque . A blogger named Zuhair visited SFMCC as part of a 30 Mosques in 30 Nights campaign. Foursquare, the social location service, lists over 60 check-ins for SFMCC.
What kind of structure is the mosque? What is the area like?
The SFMCC is located in the center of the Outer Mission (Excelsior) district in San Francisco. The population consists of mostly Latinos and Chinese. The mosque is located in the center of the residential zone. However, since SFMCC is located on Mission St, it is located at a very busy and commercial area with lots of foot traffic. There are many convenient stores, restaurants, as well as office buildings in the surrounding area. The mosque is utilizing a space that used to be a children's center called "Bienvenidos".
Are there any projects the mosque is involved in?
Every Sunday, active members of the mosque distribute food to feed homeless people in the Mission District of San Francisco. SFMCC also distributes Qur'an and Islamabad brochures every Friday and anybody can get those and learn about Islam.
What events do they have or have participated in?
They have participated in the Ramadan Aftaar party in Berkeley. Usually they don't have many events because a large population of African American Muslims are in Berkeley and they go to Berkeley Masjid to be a part of big Muslim events.
What services do they offer?
At the moment San Francisco Muslim Community Center offers mostly prayers and recitation of the Holy Quran.
Have there been any significant milestones?
SFMCC was able to purchase the upper floor of the building and are now renovating that part to arrange big events. All this happened due to the donation from Muslim Mosques of Bay Area who knew that SFMCC needs more space and a renovation.
Have they published any materials?
SFMCC hasn't published any materials except brochures which contain common knowledge of Islam, such as "rights of women in Islam" and "the concept of Jihad in Islam".
Do they have an documents to share?
Due to the Imam's busy schedule, we couldn't get a hold of any documents from him.
Have they been involved in any important legal cases?
No, SFMCC hasn't been involved in any important legal cases as of yet.
Have they as a mosque and community experienced discrimination? Hate crimes?
It’s interesting to know that in an area like the Mission District, where the crime rate is typically high due to the community's poverty, this mosque has never faced any hate crimes or discrimination.
What kind of community engagement do they have?
SFMCC is a community outreach organization.
Online Contact Info for SFMCC:
Web Page , Facebook , Vimeo , Yelp
When was your site founded?
Mid 1950's a part of what was known as the Lost Found Nation of Islam in America.
Who was the founder?
Since the mosque was formed based on the community, there was no particular person who was responsible for founding the mosque, instead it was the whole community that established the mosque.
Any people of importance?
No, local African American Muslim converts.
How did the mosque derive its name?
It was started as a community rather than a mosque based in San Francisco. Therefore, it was named the San Francisco Muslim Community Center.
What demographic do you serve?
San Francisco Muslim Community Center's members are primarily African American Muslim converts, but some Pakistani / Fijian also participate in Friday's prayers.
What size is the community, how active is it? What is unique about the community?
The size of the community is roughly about one hundred African American Muslim converts.
Is your site affiliated or partners with any other mosques?
Yes, SFMCC is affiliated with the Berkeley Masjid mosque. For example, during big events such as Eid and Ramadan, SFMCC goes to the Berkeley Masjid mosque.
Are there any articles or press from outside sources regarding your mosque?
Yes, there are a few websites on the demographic along with the history of the SFMCC: The Salatomatic database describes SFMCC as predominately African American Sunni Mosque . A blogger named Zuhair visited SFMCC as part of a 30 Mosques in 30 Nights campaign. Foursquare, the social location service, lists over 60 check-ins for SFMCC.
What kind of structure is the mosque? What is the area like?
The SFMCC is located in the center of the Outer Mission (Excelsior) district in San Francisco. The population consists of mostly Latinos and Chinese. The mosque is located in the center of the residential zone. However, since SFMCC is located on Mission St, it is located at a very busy and commercial area with lots of foot traffic. There are many convenient stores, restaurants, as well as office buildings in the surrounding area. The mosque is utilizing a space that used to be a children's center called "Bienvenidos".
Are there any projects the mosque is involved in?
Every Sunday, active members of the mosque distribute food to feed homeless people in the Mission District of San Francisco. SFMCC also distributes Qur'an and Islamabad brochures every Friday and anybody can get those and learn about Islam.
What events do they have or have participated in?
They have participated in the Ramadan Aftaar party in Berkeley. Usually they don't have many events because a large population of African American Muslims are in Berkeley and they go to Berkeley Masjid to be a part of big Muslim events.
What services do they offer?
At the moment San Francisco Muslim Community Center offers mostly prayers and recitation of the Holy Quran.
Have there been any significant milestones?
SFMCC was able to purchase the upper floor of the building and are now renovating that part to arrange big events. All this happened due to the donation from Muslim Mosques of Bay Area who knew that SFMCC needs more space and a renovation.
Have they published any materials?
SFMCC hasn't published any materials except brochures which contain common knowledge of Islam, such as "rights of women in Islam" and "the concept of Jihad in Islam".
Do they have an documents to share?
Due to the Imam's busy schedule, we couldn't get a hold of any documents from him.
Have they been involved in any important legal cases?
No, SFMCC hasn't been involved in any important legal cases as of yet.
Have they as a mosque and community experienced discrimination? Hate crimes?
It’s interesting to know that in an area like the Mission District, where the crime rate is typically high due to the community's poverty, this mosque has never faced any hate crimes or discrimination.
What kind of community engagement do they have?
SFMCC is a community outreach organization.
Online Contact Info for SFMCC:
Web Page , Facebook , Vimeo , Yelp